Five Reasons to Read: The Dreamweavers by G.Z. Schmidt – An Exciting Adventure into a Chinese-Inspired World of Dreams, Mooncakes, and Curses

Synopsis:

Since their parents’ strange disappearance several years ago, 12-year-old twins Mei and Yun have been raised by their grandfather, who makes the best mooncakes around using a secret ingredient.

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival, the emperor sends his son to sample Grandpa’s renowned mooncakes—but instead of tasting wonderful, they are horrible and bitter, strangely mirroring the odd, gloomy atmosphere and attitudes that have been washing over the village in the last few days. Grandpa is arrested for insulting and harming the prince, and Mei and Yun realize they are the only two people who will come to Grandpa’s aid.

The twins set out on foot for the long journey to the emperor’s palace where Grandpa’s being taken, but a surprising stop in the eerie City of Ashes, a visit with the legendary, mystical Jade Rabbit, and an encounter with a powerful poet whose enchanted words spread curses, influence just how Mei and Yun will manage to clear their grandfather’s name.

I received a digital advanced readers copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for an action-packed, sweeping adventure that will keep you entertained and intrigued with its historical, fantasy, and even mystery elements, then look no further than The Dreamweavers, a lovely middle-grade historical fantasy releasing next month!

Our Friend is Here! An Interview with G.Z. Schmidt, Author of The Dreamweavers; On Chinese Mythology, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Writing Siblings

Our Friend is Here! is a guest feature at The Quiet Pond, where authors, creatives, and fellow readers, are invited to ‘visit’ the Pond! In Our Friend is Here! guest posts, our visitors (as their very own unique character!) have a friendly conversation about anything related to books or being a reader — and become friends with Xiaolong and friends.

I love stories inspired by Chinese mythology. I love it when stories, that feel familiar and homely to me, are given a different perspective or an exciting twist, breathing new life into stories of old. The Dreamweavers instantly intrigued me, with its allusions to Chang’e, the moon goddess, to a depiction of the Jade Rabbit, and to mentions of delicious mooncakes.